The short answer
Most dog owners here pay somewhere between $120 and $250 for a mobile full groom, depending on the size of the dog. A bath and brush costs less, and most groomers include a nail trim with every bath and groom. The exact number depends on your dog's coat, size, and temperament, so every groomer confirms the final price when they quote you.
Prices vary by groomer. OC Mobile Dog Grooming is a referral service, not a groomer, so the independent mobile groomer we connect you with sets the final price.
The ranges below are estimates. They reflect what independent mobile groomers in Orange County typically charge in 2026. They are not fixed prices, and they are not a promise. Think of them as a way to know roughly what to expect before you call.
Typical mobile dog grooming cost by size and service
Groomers price mostly by weight, because a bigger dog takes longer to bathe, dry, and trim in the van. Here is how the common services break down.
| Service | Small (under 25 lb) | Medium (25 to 60 lb) | Large (over 60 lb) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full groom | $120 to $160 | $140 to $190 | $165 to $250 |
| Bath and brush | $90 to $125 | $110 to $145 | $130 to $175 |
| Nail trim | Included with a bath or groom | ||
| De-shedding treatment | $110 to $150 | $135 to $175 | $160 to $220 |
| Puppy's first groom (under 6 months) | $90 to $130 | $90 to $130 | $100 to $140 |
These are estimates only. Your groomer sets the final price after hearing about your dog.
Doodles, poodles, and thick double coats often cost $15 to $30 more than the range for their size. Some groomers do not take dogs over 60 lb, and others add a fee for dogs over about 100 lb.
What each service usually includes
A full-service groom is the complete package. It usually covers a bath, blow dry, brush out, haircut or trim, nail trim, ear cleaning, and a sanitary trim. If your dog has a coat that keeps growing, like a Goldendoodle or a Shih Tzu, this is the service you will book most often.
A bath and brush skips the haircut. Your dog gets washed, dried, and brushed out, often with a nail trim included. It suits short-coated dogs like Labradors and French Bulldogs, or a doodle between full grooms.
Most mobile groomers include a nail trim with every bath and groom. Nail-only visits vary a lot: some groomers do not book them, and others charge a small visit minimum. It is usually best to add nails to a bath or groom.
A de-shedding treatment uses special shampoo, conditioner, and tools to pull out loose undercoat. It is popular for double-coated breeds like Huskies, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds, especially in spring when they blow their coats. A nice side effect of mobile: that cloud of fur stays in the van, not on your floor.
A puppy's first groom is shorter and gentler. The goal is to get your puppy used to the tub, the dryer, and having their paws handled.
Common add-ons and what they cost
Most mobile groomers offer a short menu of extras when you book them with a groom. Typical ranges in Orange County:
- Nail grinding to smooth the edges: $10 to $15
- Teeth brushing: $10 to $15
- Dematting: about $15 to $20 per 15 minutes
- Medicated or flea shampoo: $10 to $25
You do not need every add-on. If you are not sure, tell your groomer what you are noticing, such as itching, tangles behind the ears, or long nails clicking on the floor, and they will suggest what makes sense.
Heavily matted coats are a separate case. They are usually quoted after the groomer sees the dog, and often the kind choice is a short shave-down rather than hours of brushing. A shave-down often adds about $30. Our guide to matted dog fur explains what you can do before the visit, and the matted coat care page covers how groomers handle it.
Travel fees and minimums
Some mobile groomers add a travel fee outside their usual area, often a few dollars per mile. Others set a visit minimum instead, so a nail trim alone may cost close to the minimum.
A few ways to keep that cost down:
- Book more than one dog at once. Two dogs at the same address can help you avoid a visit minimum.
- Pair small services. Add a nail trim to a bath rather than booking it on a separate day.
- Keep a recurring slot. Groomers plan routes by neighborhood, and a regular spot on their route is easier to price.
Your groomer confirms any travel fee or minimum when they quote. Ask if you are not sure.
Why mobile costs more than a salon, and what you get for it
A mobile groom usually costs more than the same service at a salon. The reason is simple: the groomer brings the shop to you. The van carries its own tub, table, dryer, and usually its own water tank, along with a generator or a cord to an outside outlet. Fuel, drive time, and van upkeep all go into the price, and a mobile groomer can only see a handful of dogs a day.
Here is what that extra cost buys you:
- No drive and no drop-off window. You stay home. Nobody drives a wet dog anywhere.
- One dog at a time. There is no kennel time and no other barking dogs around, which helps anxious, senior, and reactive dogs.
- A shorter day for your dog. A typical visit takes about 1 to 2 hours depending on size and coat, instead of a half-day at a salon.
- Less disruption if you work from home. You can take a call while your dog is groomed in the driveway.
If none of that matters for your dog, a salon is the more affordable choice. For many owners, though, the calm and the saved time are the whole point.
Does price change across the county?
A little. Prices tend to cluster within the ranges above whether you live inland or near the coast. Travel matters more for mobile than for a salon, so a groomer covering homes in Newport Beach may quote differently from one working mostly around Anaheim, simply because of distance and traffic.
Parking can matter too. If you live in a gated community or on a street with tight parking, the van needs a spot about a car-and-a-half long. Put the gate code or parking notes in your quote request so the groomer can plan for it.
How to keep grooming costs down
- Brush at home. A few minutes, a few times a week, prevents the mats that add time and cost.
- Stay on a schedule. Regular visits are faster and cheaper than rescue grooms after a long gap. Our guide on how often to groom your dog can help you pick an interval.
- Alternate services. Book a bath and brush between full grooms if your dog's coat allows it.
- Be upfront. Tell your groomer about matting or anxiety when you ask for a quote, so there are no surprises in the driveway.
How to get an exact price for your dog
The only way to know the real number is to ask a groomer who knows your dog's size, breed, and coat condition. That is what we do. We are a referral service, not a grooming business. We connect you with an independent mobile groomer who covers your part of Orange County, and they give you the quote directly. Prices vary by groomer, because that independent groomer, not OC Mobile Dog Grooming, sets the final price.
Tell us about your dog on the quote form, or call (820) 386-5188. Share your dog's weight, breed, and anything about their coat or nerves. The groomer we refer you to will confirm the price before any work begins.
